The Red and Gold are back and better than ever, football fans.

It won't be long until we start to get familiar with QB J.T. O'Sullivan (#14) and WR Josh Morgan (#84). In fact, they're already making headlines.

After watching these two studs perform in the preseason, I'm beginning to get an eerily familiar feeling. Butterflies are in my stomach with pins and needles simultaneously perforating my sensory organs.  

It's the same feeling I had during Terrell Owens' first training camp with the Niners. The same feeling I developed during Jeff Garcia's inaugural year as a pro. It's been a long time.

Start getting used to it, folks. Things are looking up for the San Francisco 49ers. And it's all because of two unheralded players who are rising faster than anyone could have expected.

O'Sullivan, a six-year veteran bench warmer who came out of UC Davis, is quickly becoming a household name in the Bay Area with his stellar performances so far in the preseason. He had a perfect passer rating of 158.3 against the Chicago Bears, going 7-for-8 while passing for 126 yards with one touchdown in limited playing time and engineered three scoring drives en route to the Niners' 37-30 victory. Against Green Bay, he went 8-for-17 for 154 yards and one TD, leading the way to two scoring drives en route to a 34-6 Niner win. 

It seems like a hundred years ago since the 49ers last posted two consecutive 30+ point outings, and although it's only the preseason, much progress has already been made. 

O'Sullivan looks a lot more patient in the pocket than Alex Smith, and he is a hundred times more precise and accurate on his passes. Maybe it's because J.T. learned under new offensive coordinator Mike Martz while they were both in Detroit, and maybe it's because O'Sullivan had a chance to be tutored by the great Brett Favre.

Whatever the case, J.T. has earned the right to start, and Shaun Hill has proven to be good enough to be his backup. Meanwhile, the much maligned Smith has come to the reality that he is now considered the biggest quarterback bust in the NFL since Ryan Leaf. Too bad they don't give cash refunds in the NFL because I'm sure Niner management kept its receipt.

The 49ers have traditionally been known for developing wide receivers into stars after selecting them late in drafts. We all know about Jerry Rice and T.O. Now we're about to find out about Morgan, who was drafted in the sixth round out of Virginia Tech, and has so far produced nine catches for 182 yards and an impressive 59-yd TD in about four quarters of play through two games.

The unheralded Morgan has shown the ability to catch the short slant and turn it into a long gain. He's gone deep and scored, showcasing his 4.47 speed. And above all, he's proven that he can quickly grasp Martz's complicated offensive playbook, run routes with precision, and possess tremendous hands. I don't want to jump the gun too soon, but if everything falls into place and if Morgan continues to improve, we might end up getting another dose of that familiar San Francisco treat.

And I haven't even mentioned the rest of the 49ers' talented and well-balanced receiving corps that includes future Hall-of-Famer Isaac Bruce, future All-Pro TE Vernon Davis, Bryant Johnson, Arnaz Battle, Ashley Lelie, Jason Hill, and the surprisingly solid rookie out of Baylor, Dominique Zeigler. San Francisco is stacked in this position and with Martz Madness invading the Bay Area, there is reason to be optimistic about a playoff berth in 2008-'09.

O'Sullivan and Morgan are already getting rave reviews from experts and analysts around the league. The Niners offense seems revived, and All-Pro RB Frank Gore should benefit tremendously from the all-around balance.

With a young and improved defense that's getting more and more time playing together in order to generate some cohesion, I wouldn't count out the 49ers to win the NFC West. They picked up highly regarded DE Justin Smith to anchor the frontline on Mike Nolan's 3-4 scheme. And with All-Pro LB Patrick Willis only getting better, the Niners are definitely on the upswing. The defense garnered six sacks against Green Bay last week, the first time in a long time I've seen the pass rush this intense. It will only make Nate Clements' and Walt Harris' job that much easier on the corners, which will in turn allow hard-hitting safety Michael Lewis to roam free and deliver punishing hits a la former Niner greats Ronnie Lott and Tim McDonald.

And did I forget to mention return specialist and former Pro Bowler Allen Rossum, who's already returned a punt for a touchdown this season? Right away, the 49ers' special teams unit is already looking spectacularly special.

Indeed there is reason to be excited, for this could be the year the 49ers shock and rock the National Football Conference.